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PIKE FISHING
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BASIC PIKE TACKLE REQUIREMENTS
Fishing for pike does require some specialised tackle. However, while there are a few fundamentals that are essential you might already have some of the equipment you will need.
Wire traces are absolutely essential for pike fishing or there is every chance that a pike will bite through your line! Line and trace strength needs careful consideration and it is better to opt stronger rather than lighter. A main line of at least 15lb is a good idea and trace wire of 30lb or more. Hooks can be treble or double and crushing the barbs will facilitate their speedy removal when you do land a pike.
Pike rods usually have a test curve of 2.5lb or more for bait fishing, and for lure fishing choose one designed to cast 56g (2oz) or so. Floats and/or bite indicators will also be needed.
Other than a reliable reel you will also require a large landing net with at least 36 inch arms if triangular in shape, or with a diameter of 30 inches if round framed. For unhooking pike you will need one pair (better still two pairs) of strong, long-handled forceps. A sufficiently large weigh sling (see photo) and unhooking mat, or a sling/mat combo, completes the basics.
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LANDING PIKE
When it comes to landing pike, a large, knotless landing net with arms of at least 36 inches should be used. Ensure that the mesh of the net is well sunk before drawing the pike over it and lifting the net sufficiently to retain the pike.
Holding the net as shown in the photograph will take the strain from the frame of the net, and allow you to carry net, rod and fish safely together to the prearranged unhooking area. If neccessary, gather up the mesh to raise the pike further from the ground.
If fishing with a friend you can keep the pike in the water in the landing net while they ready the unhooking equipment.
Never lay pike down on hard or rough surfaces, always use an area of soft grass or better still a well padded unhooking mat.
When lure fishing many experienced pike anglers prefer to land their pike by hand. This is a method best used on small fish, and only when hooks are clearly visible and avoided. At all other times a net is to be prefered.
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SIMPLE RIGS TO GET YOU STARTED
Although pike anglers are always dreaming up rigs to deal with specific situations or to overcome particular problems there are a couple of simple rigs that are easy to set up with the most basic of tackle, and are both successful and safe for the pike. They will also work well in most circumstances!
Neither of these rigs involves the use of specialised tackle, and because they incorporate floats you will have no need for expensive bite alarms to detect takes - provided you keep a close watch on the floats!
The first rig is a float leger rig for use with deadbaits. Set the rig up as shown on the right, with the float slightly overdepth. As soon as the float starts to move off or goes under you should strike.
With all rigs ensure that your main line is at least fifteen pounds in breaking strain, and that your wire traces are well made from wire of at least 30lb test. Use a reliable knot to join trace to line.
The second rig is a paternoster which can be used with dead or live baits. With the paternoster link tied to the eye of the upper treble (as shown on the left) a livebait cannot swim up and around the mainline - and so the risks of a pike biting through the line when it takes the bait are almost nil.
By removing the float, stop knot and two of the beads from the float leger rig you have a straight leger rig. In very windy conditions this will hold your bait in position more efficiently, as a float can be dragged by the waves. The leger weight can be increased to two, or even three ounces, with no loss of sensitivity of the rig as it is free running. If the bottom you are fishing over is snaggy add a short weak link of nylon between the swivel and the bomb. Always use a reliable drop off indicator to alert you that a pike has picked up your bait when you are using a rig without a float.
The rigs shown are just to give an idea of some of the basic rig types. There are numerous versions of these available today and we would advice that you visit the PAC web site for further information and reviews on suitable publications.
The PAC and regional clubs are here to help anglers of all ages and abilities, whether to gain confidence in pike handling, learn various fishing techniques or expand on present knowledge and understanding of the pike and pike fishing.
Members have free access to the PAC Discussion Forum. This is a fantastic media for learning all you need to know about pike, pike fishing, conservation and more. Pick the brains of some of Britain's top pike anglers.
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Additional Rigs
Click the following titles for links to information about rig and methods:
